By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

The mass shootings the past two weeks in San Bernardino and Colorado Springs may have happened in other parts of the country, but they underscore a prevalent danger in all of American society. I can tell you as a mayor—and a father, husband, son, friend and neighbor—that I never want to see our city added to the growing list of places visited by these all too frequent tragedies. One of my chief responsibilities is ensuring public safety and the simple fact is that, when it comes to mass shootings, as a nation, we are not doing enough.

Kaylie Burke, Aedan Burke and Bobby Foley Jr. are seen here visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. ~Photo by Chris Pederson

The annual Christmas Tree lighting started the holiday festivities on Thursday, Dec. 3, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café.

Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Chelsea, Quincy and Somerville Mayors seek to enhance regional economic collaboration via new compact

Six Boston area Mayors and City Managers today jointly announced the formation of the Greater Boston Regional Economic Compact, which will facilitate regional problem solving among the municipalities of Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Chelsea, Quincy, and Somerville.

City planners and officials are working towards establishing a suitable location for a future medical marijuana facility in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Committee on Land Use’s report of its findings in relation to establishing a medical marijuana facility in Somerville was presented to the Board of Aldermen at their most recent regular meeting on November 24.

Food For Free helps residents in need by gathering surplus food and distributing it where it is most needed.

Rescued food provides meals for Somerville residents
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By Sasha Purpura

Surplus food happens. It’s what we do with it that affects our environment, community and economy.

Food waste and food insecurity are both challenges in our society, whereas they could in fact, together, form a solution. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, more than 40 percent of all food produced in the United States goes to waste. That same produce could be supplying the emergency food system. Instead, it’s decomposing in landfills and producing methane gas – a leading cause of climate change.

There has been a lot of concern over airplane noise over the city when they reroute the planes. Alderman At Large Mary Jo Rossetti has been one of the aldermen who has been taking on this cause and trying to get some relief. There is currently a survey being conducted by MS Walker, Doctoral Candidate Dept. of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The survey was primarily set up for the city of Boston, but Somerville has been added to it. It might serve to assist the city’s argument with Massport about the impact of the air traffic. Rossetti is asking all those who are reading this to go online an take the survey: www.noiseandthecity.org/english . This Thursday night at the Board of Alderman meeting (on local access TV) Alderman Rossetti has asked for time to present an update on the city’s position.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan is working with Middlesex Partnerships for Youth in helping girls to identify their strengths and assets via their innovative “Empowering Girls 2015” conference held at The Broad Institute in Cambridge.

By Rebecca Danvers

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth hosted more than 350 students from middle and high schools across Middlesex County at this year’s “Empowering Girls 2015” conferences held at The Broad Institute in Cambridge. This year’s conference focused on the theme “Curate Your Life: Creating Your Own Story,” encouraging girls to use curation to help identify their strengths and assets to determine their own trajectory to success – now and in the future.

By Jim Clark

Two brothers entered police headquarters last Friday to report that they had a lead on a stolen motor scooter that had been taken from one of them.

A ceremonial Menorah Lighting took place on Sunday, Dec. 6 at sundown. All members of the community were invited as Mayor Curtatone and city staff held a brief ceremony on the City Hall Concourse. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah.